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One question you can definitely expect on any upcoming interviews is “Tell me about a time you made a mistake.” No one really likes talking about their mistakes, let alone discussing it during an important job interview such as a job interview.
But why do interviewers ask this?
Interviewers love it when you are willing to tell all the juicy details of your past big mistakes and blunders. Why?? Because they want to avoid hiring incompetent and negligent employees while instead hiring people who are thoughtful about their actions and learn from their mistakes.
So how honest should you be when answering this question? Being too open about big mistakes can lead to you shooting yourself in the foot, while being too guarded can have you written off as non-compliant.
Let me give you the skinny on how to respond to this tough interview question so that you become the person they want on their team.
Can I give an answer as follows “I have made a mistake on the very second day of me joining in a private practice of an experienced clinician to gain clinical experience after I graduated from college. I was tasked with administering LA to a patient and preparing for an extraction procedure. I wasn’t aware of the patient lineup and picked up the wrong patient chart. I did not confirm the patient’s name and ended up giving LA to the wrong quadrant. When the Sr.Doctor started the procedure, the patient was in pain and I realised my mistake. I immediately apologised to the patient and administered LA again to the right quadrant. Even though the Sr.Doctor was not happy with what I have done, he did not reprimand me in front of the patient and handled the situation well. This situation was a big lesson I learned right after I entered the world of clinical practice outside college. From then on, I make sure to keep myself aware of all the clinic practices, talk to the patient and make sure of the procedure they have come in for and also treating colleagues and other staff with respect in front of patients like the Sr.Doctor did.”?
Thanks for sharing your story and the response you’re considering giving for this question. While I am cautious to say ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ to it without me hearing it delivered over video or in-person to me, I do like the story overall in that it’s a real mistake you’re telling them about, vs. you trying to avoid telling a real mistake, which is what a lot of candidates do. I think with the right delivery, this could be a great response.
I was entangled too much in a personal problem that I took a subject for granted before the National Boards Part 2. Eventually I did not get through and had to repeat it. After the results, I became extremely dedicated and meticulously planned my subjects as per the days . I passed the 2nd attempt.
Is this a good story to answer this question ?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Viraj! In general, don’t use any part of the application process as the mistake you choose to discuss for this question. Choose another event in your academic or work history, where you made a mistake and what you did to improve things. By mentioning an aspect of your application process that you’re not proud of, it reminds them of this yellow flag in your profile, instead of the possibility of moving on from it. Best to let them ask you about the part 2 failure so that you can address it directly, instead of you bringing in the issue up.
Also mentioning that you got too entangled and a personal issue is too vague for the interviewers. They’re going to want to know what that personal issue was, and what you mean by “got too entangled” – likely, they’ll ask you to explain in more detail.